System and method for preventing movement in a telepresence system

ABSTRACT

A method for preventing movement in a telepresence system, includes a plurality of cameras. Each camera has a respective field of vision for viewing one or more users. The fields of vision each have lateral boundaries. The system also includes a plurality of restrictive elements. Each restrictive element is positioned along a respective lateral boundary of a field of vision of the fields of vision of the plurality of cameras such that viewed users each positioned within a field of vision of the plurality of cameras are restricted by the plurality of restrictive elements from moving outside of the field of vision in which each viewed user is positioned.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.60/794,016, entitled “VIDEOCONFERENCING SYSTEM,” which was filed on Apr.20, 2006.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to communications and, moreparticularly, to a system and method for preventing movement in atelepresence system.

BACKGROUND

As the “global economy” continues to expand, so does the need to be ableto communicate over potentially long distances with other people. Onearea of communication that has seen steady growth and increased customerconfidence is the use of the Internet and other networking topologies.With the constant growth and development of networking capabilities hascome the ability to implement more and better products and features. Onearea in particular that has seen growth and development in both quantityand quality is the area of Internet enabled phone calls, using forexample VoIP. By taking audio signals (the speaker's voice) andconverting them into Internet protocol (IP) packets, IP phones are ableto send the audio signals over IP networks, such as the Internet.

There are times when voice communication alone is not sufficient. Insuch instances video conferencing may be an attractive and viablealternative. Current video conferencing often involves complicated setupand call establishment procedures (usually requiring someone fromtechnical support to setup the equipment prior to the conference).Furthermore, where there are multiple users the typical videoconferencing system divides a single screen into different sections.Each section is usually associated with a particular location, and allthe users at that location need to try to fit within the camera's fieldof vision. Current video conferencing systems also typically use asingle loudspeaker, or loudspeaker pair, for reproducing the sound.Thus, regardless of who is speaking the sound comes from the samelocation. This often requires the receiving user to carefully scan thescreen, examining each user individually, to determine who is speaking.This can be especially difficult in a video conference in which thescreen is divided among several locations, and each location hasmultiple users within the camera's field of vision.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the particular embodiments, a system and method forpreventing movement in a telepresence system is provided whichsubstantially eliminates or reduces the disadvantages and problemsassociated with previous systems and methods.

In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, asystem for preventing movement in a telepresence system includes aplurality of cameras. Each camera has a respective field of vision forviewing one or more users. The fields of vision each have lateralboundaries. The system also includes a plurality of restrictiveelements. Each restrictive element is positioned along a respectivelateral boundary of a field of vision of the fields of vision of theplurality of cameras such that viewed users each positioned within afield of vision of the plurality of cameras are restricted by theplurality of restrictive elements from moving outside of the field ofvision in which each viewed user is positioned.

In particular embodiments the system may also include a table at whichthe viewed users sit. In such an embodiment the plurality of restrictiveelements may include a plurality of partitions coupled to the table.Depending on the embodiment the partition may be: coupled to anunderneath portion of the table, covered in a soft foam material,include a power outlet, or include a network outlet.

In particular embodiments the system may include a plurality ofrestrictive elements that include a plurality of table elements. Eachtable element may be incorporated into a table and positioned along arespective lateral boundary of a field of vision of the fields of visionof the plurality of cameras and configured to inhibit use by the viewedusers of the portion of the table into which the table element isincorporated. Depending on the embodiment the plurality of tableelements may include: a plurality of gaps, a plurality of uneven ornon-rigid surface areas, or a plurality of perforated surface areas.

In particular embodiments the plurality of restrictive elements mayinclude a plurality of floor elements. Each floor element may bepositioned and configured such that the viewed users are each inhibitedfrom moving in a chair outside of the field of vision in which eachviewed user is positioned. Depending on the embodiment the plurality offloor elements may include a plurality of ridges or a plurality ofindentations.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method for preventing movementin a telepresence system includes positioning a plurality of cameras.Each camera has a respective field of vision for viewing one or moreusers. The fields of vision each have lateral boundaries. The methodalso includes positioning a plurality of restrictive elements. Eachrestrictive element is along a respective lateral boundary of a field ofvision of the fields of vision of the plurality of cameras such thatviewed users each positioned within a field of vision of the pluralityof cameras are restricted by the plurality of restrictive elements frommoving outside of the field of vision in which each viewed user ispositioned.

Technical advantages of particular embodiments include preventing themovement of users along the edge of a table. Accordingly, users of atelepresence system may remain within the field of vision of therespective camera. Another technical advantage of particular embodimentsis the inclusion of various utility outlets (e.g., power and network)within the partitions. Accordingly, the utility outlets may draw theremote users to that area and remote users are not distracted by thesight of local utility outlets located on the tope of the local table.Another technical advantage of particular embodiments is the use of asoft foam material on the partitions. Accordingly, users are less likelyto hurt their legs or knees on the table support structures.

Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled inthe art from the following figures, descriptions and claims. Moreover,while specific advantages have been enumerated above, variousembodiments may include all, some or none of the enumerated advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To provide a more complete understanding of particular embodiments ofthe present invention and the features and advantages thereof, referenceis made to the following description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram illustrating a system for conductinga visual conference between locations using at least one telepresencesystem, in accordance with a particular embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a local exemplary telepresencesystem including portions of a remote telepresence system as viewedthrough local displays, in accordance with a particular embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates another perspective view of a local exemplarytelepresence system including portions of a remote telepresence systemas viewed through local displays, in accordance with a particularembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an overhead view of the cameras, displays, and tableof the exemplary telepresence system depicted in FIG. 3, in accordancewith a particular embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a partition type divider, in accordance with aparticular embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perforated area type divider and an uneven surfacetype divider, in accordance with a particular embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a ridge type divider located on the floor, inaccordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an indentation type divider located on the floor, inaccordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 illustrates an arrangement of local loudspeakers and displays, inaccordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system 10 for conducting avisual conference between locations using at least one telepresencesystem. The illustrated embodiment includes a network 102 thatfacilitates a visual conference between remotely located sites 100 usingtelepresence equipment 106. Sites 100 include any suitable number ofusers 104 that participate in the visual conference. System 10 providesusers 104 with a realistic videoconferencing experience even though alocal site 100 may have less telepresence equipment 106 than a remotesite 100.

Network 102 represents communication equipment, including hardware andany appropriate controlling logic, for interconnecting elements coupledto network 102 and facilitating communication between sites 100. Network102 may include a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network(MAN), a wide area network (WAN), any other public or private network, alocal, regional, or global communication network, an enterpriseintranet, other suitable wireline or wireless communication link, or anycombination of the preceding. Network 102 may include any combination ofgateways, routers, hubs, switches, access points, base stations, and anyother hardware, software, or a combination of the preceding that mayimplement any suitable protocol or communication.

User 104 represents one or more individuals or groups of individuals whoare present for the visual conference. Users 104 participate in thevisual conference using any suitable device and/or component, such as anaudio Internet Protocol (IP) phones, video phone appliances, personalcomputer (PC) based video phones, and streaming clients. During thevisual conference, users 104 engage in the session as speakers orparticipate as non-speakers.

Telepresence equipment 106 facilitates the videoconferencing among users104. Telepresence equipment 106 may include any suitable elements toestablish and facilitate the visual conference. For example,telepresence equipment 106 may include loudspeakers, microphones, or aspeakerphone. In the illustrated embodiment, telepresence equipment 106includes cameras 108, monitors 110, a processor 112, and a networkinterface 114.

Cameras 108 include any suitable hardware and/or software to facilitateboth capturing an image of user 104 and her surrounding area as well asproviding the image to other users 104. Cameras 108 capture and transmitthe image of user 104 as a video signal (e.g., a high definition videosignal). Monitors 110 include any suitable hardware and/or software tofacilitate receiving the video signal and displaying the image of user104 to other users 104. For example, monitors 110 may include a notebookPC, a wall mounted display, a floor mounted display, or a free standingdisplay. Monitors 110 display the image of user 104 using any suitabletechnology that provides a realistic image, such as high definition,compression hardware, and efficient encoding/decoding standards.Telepresence equipment 106 establishes the visual conference sessionusing any suitable technology and/or protocol, such as SessionInitiation Protocol (SIP) or H.323. Additionally, telepresence equipment106 may support and be interoperable with other video systems supportingother standards, such as H.261, H.263, and/or H.264.

Processor 112 controls the operation and administration of telepresenceequipment 106 by processing information and signals received fromcameras 108 and interfaces 114. Processor 112 includes any suitablehardware, software, or both that operate to control and process signals.For example, processor 112 may be a programmable logic device, amicrocontroller, a microprocessor, any suitable processing device, orany combination of the preceding. Interface 114 communicates informationand signals to and receives information and signals from network 102.Interface 114 represents any port or connection, real or virtual,including any suitable hardware and/or software that allow telepresenceequipment 106 to exchange information and signals with network 102,other telepresence equipment 106, or and/or other elements of system 10.

In an example embodiment of operation, users 104 at sites 100 a and 100b desire to participate in a visual conference. Users 104 may enter aroom from which they will participate in the visual conference. As theyenter the room they may approach a table associated with thetelepresence system. The table may include any of a wide variety ofdifferent types of dividers, such as partitions, table elements or floorelements. The dividers may initially help to guide users to theirrespective locations along the table of the telepresence system. Oncethe visual conference begins the dividers may keep users 104 within thefield of vision of the respective camera 108. This may help to ensurethat their image, as displayed on monitors 110, is not obscured orhidden.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to system 10. Forexample, system 10 may include any suitable number of sites 100 and mayfacilitate a visual conference between any suitable number of sites 100.As another example, sites 100 may include any suitable number of cameras108 and monitors 110 to facilitate a visual conference. As yet anotherexample, the visual conference between sites 100 may be point-to-pointconferences or multipoint conferences. Moreover, the operations ofsystem 10 may be performed by more, fewer, or other components.Additionally, operations of system 10 may be performed using anysuitable logic.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a local exemplary telepresencesystem including portions of a remote telepresence system as viewedthrough local displays. Telepresence system 300 may be similar to anyone of sites 100 of FIG. 1. Telepresence system 300 provides for ahigh-quality visual conferencing experience that surpasses typical videoconference systems. Through telepresence system 300 users may experiencelifelike, fully proportional (or nearly fully proportional) images in ahigh definition (HD) virtual table environment. The HD virtual tableenvironment, created by telepresence system 300, may help to develop anin-person feel to a visual conference. The in-person feel may bedeveloped not only by near life-sized proportional images, but also bythe exceptional eye contact, gaze perspective (hereinafter, “eye gaze”),and location specific sound. The eye gaze may be achieved through thepositioning and aligning of the users, the cameras and the monitors. Thelocation specific sound may be realized through the use of individualmicrophones located in particular areas that are each associated withone or more loudspeakers located in proximity to the monitor displayingthe area in which the microphone is located. This may allow discretevoice reproduction for each user or group of users.

Telepresence system 300 may also include a processor to control theoperation and administration of the components of the system byprocessing information and signals received from such components. Theprocessor may include any suitable hardware, software, or both thatoperate to control and process signals. For example, the processor maybe a programmable logic device, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, anysuitable processing device, or any combination of the preceding. Throughits operation, the processor may facilitate the accurate production ofthe eye-gaze functionality as well as the location specific soundfeatures discussed herein.

The design of telepresence system 300 is not limited to only improvingthose components used in typical video conferencing systems, such asmonitors 304, cameras 306, loudspeakers 308, and microphones 310, ratherit may encompass many other aspects, features, components and/or deviceswithin the room, including such components as table 302, walls 312,lighting (e.g., 314 and 316) and several other components discussed inmore detail below. These components may be designed to help mask thetechnology involved in telepresence system 300, thus decreasing thesense of being involved in a video conference while increasing the senseof communicating in person. Telepresence system 300, as depicted in FIG.2, may also include several users both local, users 324 a-324 c, andremote, users 322 a-322 c.

The eye gaze and the location specific sound features may combine toproduce a very natural dialogue between local and remote users. When,for example, remote user 322 a speaks, his voice is reproduced throughloudspeaker 308 a located proximate to monitor 304 a, the monitor onwhich remote user 322 a is displayed. Local users 324 may naturally turntheir attention towards the sound and thus may be able to quickly focustheir attention on remote user 322 a. Furthermore, if remote user 322 ais looking at something or someone, the exceptional eye gazecapabilities of telepresence system 300 may allow local users 324 toeasily identify where he is looking. For example, if remote user 322 aasks “what do you think” while looking at local user 324 c, the eye gazeability of telepresence system 300 may allow all the users, both localand remote, to quickly identify who “you” is because it may be clearthat remote user 322 a is looking at local user 324 c. This natural flowmay help to place the users at ease and may contribute to the in-personfeel of a telepresence assisted visual conferencing experience.

Several of the figures discussed herein depict not only components ofthe local telepresence system, but also those components of a remotetelepresence system that are within the field of vision of a remotecamera and displayed on a local monitor. For simplicity, componentslocated at the remote site will be preceded by the word remote. Forexample, the telepresence system at the other end of the visualconference may be referred to as the remote telepresence system. When acomponent of the remote telepresence system can be seen in one ofmonitors 304 it may have its own reference number, but where a componentis not visible it may use the reference number of the local counterpartpreceded by the word remote. For example, the remote counterpart formicrophone 310 a may be referred to as remote microphone 338 a, whilethe remote counterpart for loudspeaker 308 b may be referred to asremote loudspeaker 308 b. This may not be done where the location of thecomponent being referred to is clear.

Part of the in-person experience may be achieved by the fact that thetelepresence system may include many of the features and/or componentsof a room. In some embodiments the rooms at both ends of the conferencemay be similar, if not identical, in appearance because of the use oftelepresence system 300. Thus, when local users 324 look into monitors304 they are presented with an image having, in the background, a roomthat appears to match their own room. For example, walls 312 oftelepresence system 300 may have similar colors, patterns, and/orstructural accents or features as remote walls 312 of the remotetelepresence system.

Another aspect of telepresence system 300 that lends itself to creatingan in-person experience is the configuration of table 302, remote table330, monitors 304 and remote cameras 306. These components arepositioned in concert with one another such that it appears that table302 continues through monitor 304 and into table 330, forming a singlecontinuous table, instead of two separate tables at two separatelocations. More specifically, table 302 may include a full sized tablefront section 302 a that may be slightly curved and/or angled. Tablefront section 302 a may be coupled to table rear section 302 b which maycontinue from table front section 302 a. However, table rear section 302b may have a shortened width. The shortened width of table rear section302 b may be such that when it is juxtaposed with the portion of remotetable 330 displayed in monitors 304, the two separate portions appear tobe a single portion of the table having a full width similar to tablefront section 302 a.

Besides the placement of remote table 330, the placement and alignmentof remote cameras 306 may be such that the correct portion of table 330is within remote cameras 306 field of vision as well as the user orgroup of users that may be sitting at that portion of table 330. Morespecifically, remote camera 306 a may be aligned to capture the outerleft portion of table 330 and remote user 322 a, remote camera 306 b maybe aligned to capture the outer center portion of table 330 and remoteuser 322 b and remote camera 306 c may be aligned to capture the outerright portion of table 330 and user remote 322 c. Each camera 306 andremote camera 306 may be capable of capturing video in high-definition,for example cameras 306 may capture video at 720i, 720p, 1080i, 1080p orother higher resolutions. It should be noted that where multiple usersare within a camera's field of vision the alignment of the camera doesnot need to be changed.

In some embodiments remote cameras 306 may be aligned so that anyhorizontal gap between the adjacent vertical edges of the field ofvision between two adjacent cameras corresponds to any gap between thescreens of monitors 304 (the gap, e.g., gaps d2 and d3 of FIG. 3,between monitors may include any border around the screen of the monitoras well as any space between the two monitors). For example, thehorizontal gap between the adjacent vertical edges of remote camera 306a and 306 b, may align with the gap between the screens of monitors 304a and 304 b. Furthermore, remote cameras 306 and monitors 304 may bealigned so that objects that span the field of vision of multiplecameras do not appear disjointed (e.g., the line where the remote wallmeets the remote ceiling may appear straight, as opposed to being at oneangle in one monitor and a different angle in the adjacent monitor).Thus, if remote user 322 a were to reach across to touch, for example,computer monitor 326 b, users 324 may not see abnormal discontinuities(e.g., abnormally long, short or disjointed) in remote user 322's arm asit spans across monitors 304 a and 304 b (and the field of vision ofremote cameras 306 a and 306 b).

In some embodiments monitors 304 may be capable of displaying thehigh-definition video captured by remote cameras 306. For example,monitors 304 may be capable of displaying video at 720i, 720p, 1080i,1080p or any other high resolution. In some embodiments monitors 304 maybe flat panel displays such as LCD monitors or plasma monitors. Inparticular embodiments monitors 304 may have 60 or 65 inch screens(measured diagonally across the screen). The large screen size may allowtelepresence system 300 to display remote users 322 as proportional andlife-sized (or near proportional and near life-sized) images. Thehigh-definition display capabilities and large screen size of monitors304 may further add to the in-person effect created by telepresencesystem 300 by increasing the size of the video image while alsomaintaining a clear picture (avoids pixelation or blurring that mayresult from attempting to display a standard definition image on a largemonitor).

In some embodiments, monitors 304 may be positioned so that they form anangled wall around table rear section 302 b. In particular embodiments,monitors 304 may be aligned such that their arrangement approximatelymirrors the outside edge of table front section 302 a. Morespecifically, monitor 304 b may be parallel to wall 312 b, whilemonitors 304 a and 304 c may be angled in towards user 324 b and awayfrom wall 312 b. While monitors 304 a and 304 c are angled (compared tomonitor 304 b), the inside vertical edge of each monitor (the rightmostedge of monitor 304 a and the leftmost edge of monitor 304 c) may abutor nearly abut the left and right sides, respectively, of monitor 304 b.Similarly, the bottom edge of monitors 304 b may abut or nearly abut theback edge of table rear section 302 b. In particular embodiments,monitors 304 may be positioned so that the bottom border or frame ofmonitor 304 is below the top surface of table rear section 302 b andthus is not visible to users 324. This may provide for an apparentseamless transition from local table 302 to remote table 330 asdisplayed on monitors 304.

In some embodiments, monitors 304, remote monitors 304 and remotecameras 306 may further be positioned/aligned to increase the accuracyand efficacy of the eye gaze of remote users 322. Remote cameras 306 maybe positioned a predetermined distance below the top edge of remotemonitors 304. The predetermined distance may be based on such factors asthe size of remote monitors 304 and/or the distance between remote users322 and remote cameras 306. For example, in particular embodiments,remote cameras 306 may be located 4 to 6 inches below the top of remotemonitor 304 a. Furthermore, remote cameras 306 may be directed at remotetable 330 such that the central axis of each camera may be approximatelyperpendicular to the outside edge (the edge where the remote users maysit) of remote table 330 (note that where the outside edge is curved thecentral axis of each camera may be approximately perpendicular to a linetangential to the outside edge of the remote table at a pointapproximately in the middle of the respective user section). Thus, whenremote users 322 are involved in a telepresence session with local users324 it may appear that remote users 322 are looking at local users 324.More specifically, the images of remote users 322 may appear on monitor304 to be creating/establishing eye-contact with local users 324 eventhough remote users 322 are in a separate location. As may be apparent,increasing the accuracy of the eye gaze increases the in-person feel ofa visual conference hosted via telepresence system 300.

Depending on the embodiment, cameras 306 may be freely movable, notreadily moveable (e.g., they may require some tools to adjust them), orfixed. For example, in particular embodiments in which cameras 306 arenot readily moveable, it may still be possible to fine tune thealignment of cameras 306 to the left or right, up or down, orrotationally. In some embodiments it may be desirable to not have toadjust cameras 306 each time telepresence system 300 is used becausedoing so may decrease the simplicity of using telepresence system 300.Thus, it may be advantageous to limit the area in which a user may sitwhen interfacing with telepresence system 300. One such component oftelepresence system 300 that may be used to help control where users sitin relation to the cameras may be the table. Users 324 may sit along theoutside edge of table front section 302 a to be able to take notes, resttheir elbows or otherwise use table 302. This may allow the depth offield and zoom of cameras 306 to be set based on the size of table 302.For example, in some embodiments the depth of field of cameras 306 maybe set so that if users 324 are between two feet in front of and fourfeet behind the outside edge of table front section 302 a, they may bein focus. Similarly, the zoom of cameras 306 may be set so that userssitting at the table will appear life-sized when displayed in remotemonitors. As should be apparent, the amount of zoom may not only dependon distance between cameras 306 and users 324, but also the screen sizeof remote monitors 304.

Besides keeping users 324 within the focus range of cameras 306 it mayalso be desirable to keep them within the field of vision of cameras306. In some embodiments, dividers 336 may be used to limit users 324'slateral movement along/around the outside edge of table front section302 a. The area between dividers 336 may correspond to the field ofvision of the respective cameras 306, and may be referred to as a usersection. In some embodiments each user section may be wide enough toaccommodate two users. Having dividers to restrict lateral movementalong table 302 may be particularly important where there are multipleusers within a camera's field of vision. This may be so because withmultiple users within a particular camera's field of vision it may bemore likely that the multiple users will need more lateral space alongtable 302 (as opposed to a single user). Therefore, the dividers mayhelp to prevent the multiple users from inadvertently placingthemselves, in whole or in part, outside of the field of vision.

Dividers 336 may be shaped and sized such that a user would find ituncomfortable to be right next to, straddling, behind or otherwise tooclose to dividers 336. For example, in particular embodiments dividers336 may be large protrusions covered in a soft foam that may extendalong the bottom surface of table front section 302 up to or beyond theoutside edge of table front section 302 a. In particular embodiments,dividers 336 may be used in supporting table 302 or they may be added tocertain components of the support structure of table 302. Using dividers336 as part of the support structure of table 302 may increase theamount of foot/leg room for users 324 under table 302. Differentembodiments may use different dividers or other components or featuresto achieve the same purpose and may provide additional or alternatefunctionality as discussed in more detail below.

In some embodiments, table 302 may include other features that may helpguide a user to a particular area (e.g., the center of cameras 306'sfield of vision) of table 302, or that may help prevent a user fromstraying out of a particular area and thus into the fields of vision ofmultiple cameras or out of the field of vision of a particular camera.For example, table 302 may include computer monitors 320, which may beused to display information from a computer (local or remote), such as aslide-show or a chart or graph. Computer monitors 320 may include CRT,LCD or any other type of monitor cable of displaying images from acomputer. In some embodiments computer monitors 320 may be integratedinto table 302 (e.g., the screen of computer monitors 320 may be viewedby looking down onto the table top of table 302) while in otherembodiments they may be on the surface (e.g., the way a traditionalcomputer monitor may rest on a desk). In particular embodiments,computer monitors 320 may not be a part of table 302, but rather theymay be separate from table 302. For example, they may be on a movablecart. Furthermore, some embodiments may use a combination of integrated,desktop and separate monitors.

Another feature of table 302 that may be used to draw users 324 to aparticular area may be microphone 310. In particular embodiments,microphones 310 may be integrated into table 302, thereby reducing auser's ability to move it. For example, microphone 310 may be centeredwithin the field of vision of the respective camera 306. This mayprovide an additional cue to the users to draw them to the center of thefield of vision. In some embodiments microphones 310 may be freelymovable, thereby allowing it to be repositioned if more than one user istrying to use the same microphone. In some embodiments microphones 310may be directional microphones having cardioid, hypercardioid, or otherhigher order directional patterns. In particular embodiments microphones310 may be low profile microphones that may be mounted close to thesurface of table 302 so as to reduce the effect of any reflection ofsound off of table 302. In some embodiments microphones 310 may belinked such that when multiple microphones, for example microphones 310a and 310 b, detect the same sound, the detected sound is removed via,for example, filtering from the microphone at which the detected soundis weakest. Thus, it may be that the sound from a particular user mayprimarily be associated with the microphone closest to the speakinguser.

Some embodiments may take advantage of being able to have sound comingfrom a single source (e.g., microphone 310 a) having a known location(e.g., the left side of table 302) by enabling location specific sound.Telepresence system 300 may reproduce the sound detected by a particularmicrophone with a known location through a loudspeaker, or pair ofloudspeakers, in proximity to the monitor that is displaying the areaaround the particular microphone that detected the sound. Thus, soundoriginating on the left side of remote telepresence system 300 may bereproduced on the left side of telepresence system 300. This may furtherenhance the in-person effect by reproducing the words of a remote userat the loudspeaker near the monitor on which that remote user isdisplayed. More specifically, if remote user 322 a speaks, it may bethat both remote microphones 338 a and 338 b may detect the words spokenby user 322 a. Because user 322 a is closer to microphone 338 a andbecause microphone 338 a is oriented towards user 322 a, it may be thatthe signal of user 322 a's voice is stronger at microphone 338 a. Thus,the remote telepresence system may ignore/filter the input frommicrophone 338 b that matches the input from microphone 338 a. Then, itmay be that loudspeaker 308 a, the loudspeaker under monitor 304 a,reproduces the sound detected by microphone 338 a. When user's 324 hearsound coming from loudspeaker 308 a they may turn that way, much likethey would if user 322 a were in the same room and had just spoken.

In particular embodiments, loudspeakers 308 may be mounted below, above,behind, or on the sides of each of monitors 308, or they may otherwisebe located in proximity to monitors 308 so that when, for example,loudspeaker 308 b reproduces words spoken by remote user 322 b, users324 may be able to quickly identify that the sound came from remote user322 b displayed in monitor 304 b. In addition to loudspeakers 308, someembodiments of telepresence system 300 may include one or moreadditional auxiliary loudspeakers. The auxiliary loudspeakers may beused to patch in a remote user who may not have access to a telepresencesystem or any type of video conferencing hardware. The auxiliaryloudspeaker may be part of IP phone 318 or it may be in addition to anyloudspeaker that may be a part of IP phone 318. While loudspeakers 308(or portions thereof) are visible in FIG. 2, in some embodimentsloudspeakers 308 may visibly be obscured by a sound-transparent screenor other component. The screen may be similar in material to thesound-transparent screen used on many consumer loudspeakers (e.g., afabric or metal grill). To help reduce the indication that telepresencesystem 300 includes loudspeakers 308, the sound-transparent screen maycover the entire area under monitors 304. For example, loudspeaker area340 b (including loudspeaker 308 b) may be covered in thesound-transparent material.

As may be ascertained from the preceding description, each remote user322 may have associated with them a monitor, a remote camera, a remotemicrophone, and/or a loudspeaker. For example remote user 322 c may haveassociated with him monitor 304 c, remote camera 306 c, remotemicrophone 338 c, and/or loudspeaker 308 c. More specifically, remotecamera 306 c may be trained on the user section in which user 322 c isseated so that his image is displayed on monitor 304 c and when hespeaks microphone 338 c may detect his words which are then played backvia loudspeaker 308 c while users 324 watch and listen to remote user322 c. Thus, from the perspective of local users 324 the telepresencesystem 300 assisted visual conference may be conducted as though remoteuser 322 c was in the room with local users 324.

Another feature of some embodiments is the use of lighting that may bedesigned/calibrated in concert with remote cameras 306 and monitors 304to enhance the image displayed by monitors 304 so that the colors of theimage of remote users 322 displayed on monitors 304 more closelyapproximate the actual colors of remote users 322. The lighting may besuch that its color/temperature helps to compensate for anydiscrepancies that may be inherent in the color captured by remotecameras 306 and/or reproduced by monitors 304. For example, in someembodiments the lighting may be controlled to be around 4100 to 5000Kelvin.

Particular embodiments may not only control the color/temperature of thelights, but may also dictate the placement. For example, there may belighting placed above the heads of remote users 322 to help reduce anyshadows located thereon. This may be particularly important where remotecameras 306 are at a higher elevation than the tops of remote users322's heads. There may also be lighting placed behind remote cameras 306so that the front of users 322 is properly illuminated. In particularembodiments, lights 314 may be mounted behind, and lower than the topedge of, monitors 304. In some embodiments, reflectors 316 may bepositioned behind monitors 304 and lights 314 and may extend out beyondthe outside perimeter of monitors 304. In some embodiments the portionof reflectors 316 that extends beyond monitors 304 may have a curve orarch to it, or may otherwise be angled, so that the light is reflectedoff of reflectors 316 and towards users 324. In particular embodiments,filters may be used to filter the light being generated from behindcameras 306. Both the reflectors and filters may be such that remoteusers are washed in a sufficient amount of light (e.g., 300-500 luxes)while reducing the level of intrusiveness of the light (e.g., havingbright spots of light that may cause remote user 324 to squint).Furthermore, some embodiments may include a low gloss surface on table302. The low gloss surface may reduce the amount of glare and reflectedlight caused by table 302.

While telepresence system 300 may include several features designed toincrease the in-person feel of a visual conference using two or moretelepresence systems 300, telepresence system 300 may also include otherfeatures that do not directly contribute to the in-person feel of theconference but which nonetheless may contribute to the generalfunctionality of telepresence system 300. For example, telepresencesystem 300 may include one or more cabinets 342. Cabinets 342 mayprovide support for table 302, and they may provide a convenient storagelocation that is not within the field of vision of cameras 306. In someembodiments cabinets 342 may include doors.

Another attribute of some embodiments may be access door 326. Accessdoor 326 may be a portion of table 302 that includes hinges 344 at oneend while the other end remains free. Thus, if a user wants to get intothe open middle portion of table 302 (e.g., to adjust cameras 306, cleanmonitors 304, or pick something up that may have fallen off of table302) he may be able to easily do so by lifting the free end of accessdoor 326. This creates a clear path through table 302 and into themiddle portion of table 302.

Another attribute of some embodiments may be the inclusion of poweroutlets or network access ports or outlets. These outlets or ports maybe located on top of table 302, within dividers 336 or anywhere elsethat may be convenient or practical.

What may be missing from particular embodiments of telepresence system300 is a large number of remotes or complicated control panels, as seenin typical high-end video conference systems. Rather, much of thefunctionality of telepresence system 300 may be controlled from a singlephone, such as IP phone 318 (e.g., Cisco's 7970 series IP phone). Byplacing the controls for telepresence system 300 within an IP phone user324 b is presented with an interface with which he may already befamiliar. This may minimize the amount of frustration and confusioninvolved in operating telepresence system 300.

Furthermore, in particular embodiments various components oftelepresence system 300 may be used to conduct normal video conferences(e.g., where the remote site does not have a telepresence systemavailable) or standard telephone calls. For example, user 324 b may useIP phone 318 of telepresence system 300 to place a normalperson-to-person phone call, or to conduct a typical audio conferencecall by activating microphones 310 and/or loudspeakers 308 (or theauxiliary loudspeaker, where applicable).

It will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that thetelepresence system depicted in FIG. 2, telepresence system 300, ismerely one example embodiment of a telepresence system. The componentsdepicted in FIG. 2 and described above may be replaced, modified orsubstituted to fit individual needs. For example, the size of thetelepresence system may be reduced to fit in a smaller room, or it mayuse one, two, four or more sets of cameras, monitors, microphones, andloudspeakers. Furthermore, while FIG. 2 only depicts a single userwithin each user section, it is within the scope of particularembodiments for there to be multiple users sitting within any given usersection and thus within the field of vision of a camera and displayed onthe monitor. As another example, monitors 304 may be replaced by blankscreens for use with projectors.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a local exemplary telepresencesystem including portions of a remote telepresence system as viewedthrough local displays. FIG. 4 illustrates an overhead view of thecameras, displays, and table of the exemplary telepresence systemdepicted in FIG. 3.

Telepresence system 400 may be similar to telepresence system 300 ofFIG. 2. More specifically, monitors 404, cameras 406, and table 402 maybe similar to monitors 304, cameras 306 and table 302, respectively, ofFIG. 2.

Cameras 406 may be positioned and aligned in concert with monitors 404to optimize eye gaze. This increases the in-person feel of communicatingwith remote users 422 and makes determining where a remote user islooking simpler, easier, more natural and more accurate. Telepresencesystem 400 may include or control many of the variables that may go intooptimizing the eye gaze of a remote user. For example, monitors 404 maybe angled in towards the center of the table's front edge (where theusers sit). In particular embodiments, monitors 404 a and 404 c may beangled towards the user section at which local user 424 is sitting suchthat angle a1 is approximately between 10 and 20 degrees (e.g., 15degrees) and angle a2 is approximately between 10 and 20 degrees (e.g.,15 degrees).

As mentioned earlier, the quality of the eye gaze may be controlled bythe location of cameras 406. Cameras 406 of telepresence system 400 maybe positioned such that they are close enough to the center (verticalcenter and horizontal center) of monitors 404 a of telepresence system400 to be able to accurately capture the eye gaze of the local userswithout overly obscuring the images of, for example, remote users 422 band 422 c as displayed on monitor 404 b. In some embodiments, cameras406 may be located at the horizontal mid-point of monitor 404 b and at adistance d1 below the top edge of monitor 404 b. Distance d1 may belarge enough to allow cameras 406 to be low enough that when local user424 is looking at remote users 422 b and 422 c, it may appear on remotemonitor 404 b that local user 424 is looking at remote users 422 b and422 c. The actual length of distance d1 may depend on such factors asthe size of monitors 404 and/or the distance between users 424 andcameras 406. Furthermore, in some embodiments cameras 406 may be locatedat the horizontal midpoint, thus preventing the eye gaze of remote users422 b and 422 c from appearing distorted or out of alignment.

The congruity of the eye gaze of remote users 422 b and 422 c may beachieved, in part, by aligning a central axis of remote camera 406 bsuch that it is perpendicular to the front edge of table 430 at a centerpoint of the user section associated with remote camera 406 b.Similarly, remote cameras 406 a and 406 c may be aligned so as to beperpendicular to the front edge of table 430 at the center point oftheir respective user sections. More specifically, the central axis ofcameras 406 a and 406 c may be angled approximately between thirty andthirty-six degrees (e.g., thirty-three degrees) to the left and rightrespectively, of the central axis of camera 406 b. Not only does thisincrease the effectiveness and accuracy of the eye gaze, it also allowsmultiple users within a camera's field of vision to be in focus and ofapproximately equal proportion (e.g., if two users are approximately thesame size in person, then they may appear to be the same size on themonitor).

The congruity of the eye gaze of users within different user sections,displayed on different monitors, may also be achieved through therotational alignment of the cameras. For example, remote cameras 406 maybe rotationally aligned relative to one another so that any item thatmay span across multiple monitors may appear as a continuous image,without skewing. Thus, a straight line, for example the line created bythe junction of the wall and ceiling, may be straight when displayed onmonitors 404 a and 404 b, as opposed to having the line appear slopingup in monitor 404 a and sloping down in monitor 404 b.

As alluded to above, another aspect of telepresence system 400 that maycontribute to the quality and accuracy of the eye gaze is the shape andlocation of table 402. The shape and location of local table 402 may becoordinated with the alignment and positioning of local cameras 406 andremote monitors 404 so that the image displayed on remote monitors 404appears, to remote users 422, to be communicating directly to them, justas if local users were in the same room with and using the same table asthe remote users. By designing the size, angle and position of localtable 402 in conjunction with local cameras 406 telepresence system 400may be able to increase the likelihood that local users of the systemwill appear fully proportional, in focus, and projecting accurate eyegaze to remote users via remote monitors 404. By having table 402 apredetermined distance from cameras 406 it may be possible to adjust thefield of focus of cameras 406. Furthermore, by combining the knowndistance between table 402 and local camera 406 with the known size ofremote monitor 404 it may be possible to adjust the zoom of localcameras 406 so that their image appears fully proportional in remotemonitors 404 (recall that the zoom may depend on the distance betweenthe remote camera and the remote user as well as the size of the localmonitor).

Because the image of remote users 422 may be both fully proportional andin focus it may be relatively easy for local user 424 to determinequickly and accurately where any of remote users 422 are looking. Theeye gaze created by telepresence system 400 may be similar to the eyegaze that may exist during an in-person meeting. More specifically, whena remote user, for example remote user 422 a, looks at a remote target(e.g., something or someone located in the same site as the remote user)his eye gaze displayed on monitor 404 a may be directed such that localusers 424 may easily identify the remote target (or the direction of theremote target if the remote target is not within the field of vision ofany of remote cameras 406) at which remote user 422 is looking.Similarly, when remote user 422 a looks at the image of a local target(e.g., something or someone from the local site that is being displayedon one of remote monitors 404) his eye gaze displayed on monitor 404 amay be directed such that local users 424 may easily identify the localtarget at which remote user 422 a is looking. Furthermore, in someembodiments, the accuracy of the eye gaze may not be diminished bydiscontinuities in the image from monitor to monitor. This may bebecause the alignment of remote cameras 406 and local monitors 404 maybe such that there is no overlap or any unaccounted gaps in the field ofvision. More specifically, any gap between the fields of vision of, forexample, remote cameras 406 a and 406 b may correspond to an equal sizegap d2 between the screens of monitors 404 a and 404 b. Furthermore,because the central axes of remote cameras 406 may be perpendicular tothe front edge of remote table 430 at each of the respective usersections and because the rotation of remote cameras 406 may be set,there may be little or no skewing of the image from one monitor to thenext. Thus if remote user 422 a was to reach across to touch remote user422 b, user 422 a's arm would not appear abnormally long, short ordisjointed.

In some embodiments table 402 may include dividers positioned to preventusers from moving out of the field of vision of the cameras, either inwhole or in part (e.g., half of their body is displayed on one monitorwhile the other half of their body is displayed on the adjacentmonitor). In particular embodiments the restriction may include acomponent coupled to table 402 which may make it uncomfortable to sit infront of or near the divider, or which may make it difficult to work onor near the divider. In some embodiments the restriction may include afloor feature that makes it difficult or uncomfortable to place or movea chair out of the field of vision of a camera. By preventing localusers from sitting outside of a defined section it may reduce, and insome embodiments may eliminate, the need to have to adjust the alignmentof the camera for each conference to maximize the eye gaze. It may alsohelp ensure that local users do not inadvertently sit within a gapbetween the field of vision of two adjacent cameras or otherwise removethemselves, in whole or in part, from the field of vision a camera.

FIG. 5 illustrates a partition type divider, in accordance with aparticular embodiment of the present invention. Partition dividers 40may be designed to prevent one or more users from moving outside thefield of vision of their respective camera. This may be particularlydesirable when there are multiple users within a single camera's fieldof vision because of the increased space needed by multiple users.

In some embodiments partition 40 may be integrated into supportstructure 43. Support structure 43 may support table top 44. Partitions40 may be integrated into only a select number of support structures 43,or they may integrated into all support structures 43. The exact numberof support structures that partitions 40 are integrated into may dependon the number and type of support structures that are used to supporttable top 44 as well as the number of cameras or user sections that areneeded. For example, in FIG. 2, table 302 may be supported by cabinets342 and dividers 336, and it may need to provide for three usersections. In this situation it may only be desirable to include twopartitions, one each on dividers 336 a and 336 b, and to let cabinets342 function as the dividers for the far left and far right sides oftable 302. In another example, a table may be supported by severalsupport structures (e.g., support structures that may not be overlyintrusive or cumbersome with respect to leg room under the table) whilestill only needing three user sections. In such a situation it may bedesirable to include partitions 40 on two of the support structureslocated between the three user sections (e.g., the points where thetable changes its angle). Recall that in some embodiments a particularuser section may coincide with the field of vision of a respectivecamera.

In particular embodiments partition 40 may comprise a rigid member 42surrounded by a soft foam wrap 41. Depending on the embodiment, rigidmember 42 may extend beyond the edge of table top 44, it may stop shortof the edge of table top 44, or it may extend right up to the edge oftable top 44. Regardless of the length of rigid member 42, it may besurrounded by soft foam wrap 41. Wrap 41 may provide both an aestheticbenefit as well as a safety/comfort benefit. Wrap 41 may increase thebulkiness of partition 40 which may increase its partitioningeffectiveness.

In some embodiments, both rigid member 42 and wrap 41 may extend fromthe bottom surface of table top 44 all the way to the floor. Particularembodiments of partition 40 may include power outlet 45 and networkoutlet 46. Power outlet 45 and network outlet 46 may provide users witha convenient point to connect various electronic devices, such as alaptop. Some embodiments may include only one of power outlet 45 ornetwork outlet 46 or neither. Similarly, some embodiments may includemultiple power outlets 45 and/or network outlets 46.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perforated area type divider and an uneven surfacetype divider. These are two examples of two types of dividers that maybe part of, or coupled to, the top surface of table top 54. It should benoted that while in FIG. 6 dividers 51 and 52 are different, in mostembodiments they will typically, though not always, be similar.

Perforated area 51 may include several holes or perforations that maymake writing in the area difficult. Because trying to write inperforated area 51 may be more difficult than writing on table top 54,users may be inclined to sit in front of table top 54 instead ofperforated area 51. While perforated area 51 is depicted as having aplurality of round holes, other embodiments may include square holes,long slits, a mesh like surface, or any other perforation that may makewriting in perforated area 51 difficult or undesirable.

Uneven surface area 52 may comprise a raised protrusion, extension,outcropping, ridge, bump or projection that may make it difficult toplace items, such as laptops or pads of paper, on uneven surface area52. This may prevent users from sitting in front of uneven surface area52 by discouraging them from using the area as a work space. Inparticular embodiments, power outlet 55 and/or network outlet 56 may beincorporated into uneven surface area 52. While uneven surface 52 isdepicted as being a single rectangular protrusion extending from thefront edge of table top 54 to the back edge, other embodiments mayinclude alternate uneven surfaces. For example, uneven surface 52 mayinclude any of the following: a single rectangular protrusion thatextends only part of the way back towards the back edge of table 54,multiple rectangular protrusions, rounded protrusions, angledprotrusions, rectangular channels, rounded channels, angled channels,circular bumps, or any other protrusion, bump, ridge, channel, groove,or crease that may prevent a user from sitting near uneven surface 52.

Both perforated area 51 and uneven surface area 52 may comprisecomponents or features made of the same material as table top 54 or theymay be made of a different material, such as a contrasting material. Theuse of a different contrasting type of material may further indicate theboundaries of a particular user section. In particular embodiments,local dividers 51 and 52 may not be seen by remote users because thelocal dividers may be positioned within the horizontal gap between thevertical edges in the field of vision of the local cameras.

As mentioned above, perforated area 51 and uneven surface 52 are merelytwo examples of two different types of dividers that can be integratedinto the top surface of table top 54. Particular embodiments contemplatenumerous other types of dividers integrated into table top 54, such asusing a non-rigid area or a gap. Furthermore, each type of divider mayinclude numerous variations, for example, a non-rigid area may include asoft foam or a rubber material, the material may extend the full widthof table top 54 or it may cover some portion of the width of table top54. Additionally, it should be noted that while it was mentioned abovethat it may not be desirable to have a table in which the dividers donot match (e.g., one divider is a perforated surface and another divideris a gap), it may be desirable to combine multiple types of dividerstogether into a single divider. For example, the raised protrusion ofuneven area 52 may be flanked on either side by a non-rigid area.

FIG. 7 illustrates a ridge type divider located on the floor and FIG. 8illustrates an indentation type divider located on the floor. FIGS. 7and 8 are examples of dividers that may be integrated into the floor.The purpose of the floor dividers, similar to the purpose of thedividers in FIGS. 5 and 6, may be to help keep the users within thefield of vision of the cameras by preventing users from moving laterallyalong the table and out of the respective camera's field of vision. Morespecifically, the floor dividers may prevent lateral movement along thetable by making it difficult for the user to mover their chair past thefloor divider.

In some embodiments, ridges 61 may be aligned with the horizontal gapbetween the fields of vision of two adjacent cameras. The shape ofridges 61 may vary depending on the embodiment. For example, ridges 61may be rounded, angled, or flat. Similarly the height and width ofridges 61 may also vary. In particular embodiments, ridges 61 may extendunder table top 64, in some embodiments ridges 61 may stop at or priorto the front edge of table top 64. Because ridge 61 protrudes above theplane of the floor a user may find it difficult to move their chair overridge 61. When this is combined with a typical uses natural inclinationto stay within defined boundaries, ridge 61 may function to preventusers from leaving the field of vision associated with their respectiveuser section.

Indentation 71 may be located approximately within the center of eachuser section and/or the field of vision of each camera. Depending on theembodiment, sides 72 of indentation 71 may be angled, rounded orvertical. The depth and shape of indentation 71 may similarly varybetween embodiments. For example, sides 72 may extend away from tabletop 74 at an angle that may approximate the edge of the field of visionof the respective camera, or they may be straight (perpendicular to thefront edge of table top 74 and parallel to each other) or anywhere inbetween. The indentation may extend under table top 74 or it may stop ator prior to the front edge of table top 74. Because a user's chair mayreside within indentation 71 with its sides 72 that extend up from thebottom surface of indentation 71 a user may find it difficult to movetheir chair out of indentation 71. When this is combined with a typicaluser's natural inclination to stay within defined boundaries,indentation 71 may function to prevent users from leaving the field ofvision associated with their respective user section.

Because ridges 61 and indentation 71 create an uneven floor, in someembodiments ridges 61 and sides 72 of indentation 71 may be uniquelycolored or patterned. This may help draw the users attention to thedividers as they are walking about the room and thus may help to preventtripping.

Ridges 61 and indentation 71 are merely two types of dividers that maybe used with a telepresence system to help prevent users from leavingthe camera's field of vision. The present invention contemplatesnumerous other types of dividers integrated into the floor. For example,a telepresence system may include a thick carpet floor, with a rigidsurface area designed to encourage a user to remain on the rigid surfaceand thus within the camera's field of vision.

FIG. 9 illustrates an arrangement of local loudspeakers and displays.Loudspeaker 808 a may be associated with monitor 804 a and microphone838 a; loudspeaker 808 b may be associated with monitor 804 b andmicrophone 838 b; and loudspeaker 808 c may be associated with monitor804 c and microphone 838 c. As mentioned above, microphones 838 may bedirectional microphones that may be interconnected so that sound may bedetected and transmitted by the microphone at which the sound isloudest. This may allow a remotely created sound to be reproduced by asingle loudspeaker 808. While loudspeakers 808 are depicted as beingbelow monitors 804, in particular embodiments they may be located aboveor behind monitors 804. In particular embodiments the loudspeakers maybe located on the sides of monitors 804. In an embodiment in which theloudspeakers are on the sides of monitors 804 it may be that there isone loudspeaker between adjacent monitors that is shared by the twoadjacent monitors. If, for example, remote microphone 838 a detects asound, the sound may be reproduced via a first loudspeaker to the leftof monitor 804 a and a second loudspeaker between monitor 804 a and 804b; if, for example, remote microphone 838 b detects a sound, the soundmay be reproduced via the second loudspeaker and a third loudspeakerbetween monitor 804 b and 804 c; and if, for example, remote microphone838 c detects a sound, the sound may be reproduced via the thirdloudspeaker between monitor 804 b and 804 c and a fourth loudspeaker tothe right of monitor 804 c.

In some embodiments microphones 838 may be attached to table 830. Forexample, microphones 838 may be positioned and attached so that they areequidistant from either side of their respective section of table 830and between 30 and 50 centimeters back from the front edge of table 830.Thus, if two users were to be within the same user section associatedwith microphone 838 a, microphone 838 a may be able to equivalentlydetect sound from both users. The positioning of a microphone betweentwo users allows for each user to have an individual work area where theshared microphone does not interfere with their work area. For example,the users can each have a laptop computer on either side of themicrophone. In those embodiments in which microphones 838 are notattached to table 830, the movement of microphones 838 may be limited bythe length of a cable attached thereto. This may help to preventmicrophones 838 from being moved out of their respective user sectionand it may help to avoid mixing up the microphones.

Regardless of whether microphones 838 are attached to table 830, theymay include additional features, such as in some embodiments microphones838 may include a mute button. Particular embodiments may furtherinclude an LED that illuminates to indicate that the microphone has beenmuted. In particular embodiments, microphone 838 may include a wire meshscreen that may help to prevent air turbulence. Some embodiments mayfurther include a layer of open-cell foam underneath the wire meshscreen to prevent air from blowing into the microphone. Furthermore, insome embodiments microphones 838 may be low profile microphones. Thismay help reduce the impact of sound that may reflect off of the table.

By taking advantage of the fixed, or relatively fixed, location ofmicrophones 838 and some of the other various features described above(e.g., the dividers preventing lateral movement, the alignment of thecameras) the telepresence system is able to create location specificsound. This can best be seen by looking at the variousassociations/interactions of a single set of telepresence components.Because microphone 838 a may be at a fixed location, or within arelatively limited area, and that location may be within view of aspecific camera that supplies the image for monitor 804 a it may bepossible for loudspeaker 808 a to reproduce sound originating from thearea around microphone 838 a (e.g., the area within the field of visionof the camera providing the image displayed on monitor 804 a). Morespecifically, if user 822 a speaks his voice may be detected bymicrophone 838 a and, to a lesser extent, by microphone 838 b. Thetelepresence system may filter out or otherwise remove the softer soundof user 822 a's voice from microphone 838 b. Then user 822's voice maybe reproduced locally by loudspeaker 808 a as his image, as displayed onmonitor 804 a, moves (e.g., as his mouth moves to form the words or hishands move to point to specific things). By reproducing user 822's voicethrough loudspeaker 808 a local users may be able to quickly identifywhere the loudspeaker is (the human ear is able to accurately locate thesource of sound in a side-to-side direction) and thus which user isspeaking.

Not only may microphones 838 be able to filter sounds detected by othermicrophones 838, but in particular embodiments they may also be able tofilter or remove other types of sounds. For example, where microphone838 b detects a loud tapping noise but no other microphone detects thetapping, it may be assumed that the tapping is coming from local user822 b tapping his finger on, or near, microphone 838 b. This undesirablenoise may be filtered or removed. Another sound that some embodimentsmay be able to remove is the sound of something, for example paper,being dragged over the microphone.

The present invention contemplates great flexibility in the arrangementand design of elements within a telepresence system as well as theirinternal components. Numerous other changes, substitutions, variations,alterations and modifications may be ascertained by those skilled in theart and it is intended that the present invention encompass all suchchanges, substitutions, variations, alterations and modifications asfalling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. A system for preventing movement in a telepresence system,comprising: a plurality of cameras, each camera having a respectivefield of vision for viewing one or more users, the fields of vision eachhaving lateral boundaries; and a plurality of restrictive elements eachpositioned along a respective lateral boundary of a field of vision ofthe fields of vision of the plurality of cameras such that viewed userseach positioned within a field of vision of the plurality of cameras arerestricted by the plurality of restrictive elements from moving outsideof the field of vision in which each viewed user is positioned.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the plurality of restrictive elements arepositioned such that the viewed users are restricted by the plurality ofrestrictive elements from moving inside a different field of vision fromthe field of vision in which each viewed user is positioned.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1: further comprising a table at which the viewed userssit; and wherein the plurality of restrictive elements comprise aplurality of partitions coupled to the table.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein the plurality of partitions are coupled to an underneath portionof the table.
 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the plurality ofpartitions are covered in a soft foam material.
 6. The system of claim3, wherein at least one partition of the plurality of partitionsincludes a power outlet.
 7. The system of claim 3, wherein at least onepartition of the plurality of partitions includes a network outlet. 8.The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of restrictive elementscomprise a plurality of table elements each incorporated into a tableand positioned along a respective lateral boundary of a field of visionof the fields of vision of the plurality of cameras and configured toinhibit use by the viewed users of the portion of the table into whichthe table element is incorporated.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein theplurality of table elements comprise a plurality of gaps.
 10. The systemof claim 8, wherein the plurality of table elements comprise a pluralityof uneven or non-rigid surface areas.
 11. The system of claim 8, whereinthe plurality of table elements comprise a plurality of perforatedsurface areas.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofrestrictive elements comprise a plurality of floor elements, eachpositioned and configured such that the viewed users are each inhibitedfrom moving in a chair outside of the field of vision in which eachviewed user is positioned.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein theplurality of floor elements comprise a plurality of ridges.
 14. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein the plurality of floor element comprise aplurality of indentations.
 15. A method for preventing movement in atelepresence system, comprising: positioning a plurality of cameras,each camera having a respective field of vision for viewing one or moreusers, the fields of vision each having lateral boundaries; andpositioning a plurality of restrictive elements each along a respectivelateral boundary of a field of vision of the fields of vision of theplurality of cameras such that viewed users each positioned within afield of vision of the plurality of cameras are restricted by theplurality of restrictive elements from moving outside of the field ofvision in which each viewed user is positioned.
 16. The method of claim15, wherein positioning a plurality of restrictive elements comprisespositioning the plurality of restrictive elements such that the viewedusers are restricted by the plurality of restrictive elements frommoving inside a different field of vision from the field of vision inwhich each viewed user is positioned.
 17. The method of claim 15,wherein the plurality of restrictive elements comprise a plurality ofpartitions coupled to a table at which the viewed users sit.
 18. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the plurality of partitions are coupled toan underneath portion of the table.
 19. The method of claim 18, whereinthe plurality of partitions are covered in a soft foam material.
 20. Themethod of claim 18, wherein at least one partition of the plurality ofpartitions includes a power outlet.
 21. The method of claim 18, whereinat least one partition of the plurality of partitions includes a networkoutlet.
 22. The method of claim 15, wherein positioning a plurality ofrestrictive elements comprises positioning each of a plurality of tableelements into a table and along a respective lateral boundary of a fieldof vision of the fields of vision of the plurality of cameras, whereinthe plurality of table elements are configured to inhibit use by theviewed users of the portion of the table into which the table element isincorporated.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the plurality of tableelements comprise a plurality of gaps.
 24. The method of claim 22,wherein the plurality of table elements comprise a plurality of unevenor non-rigid surface areas.
 25. The method of claim 22, wherein theplurality of table elements comprise a plurality of perforated surfaceareas.
 26. The method of claim 15, wherein positioning a plurality ofrestrictive elements comprises positioning and configuring each of aplurality of floor elements such that the viewed users are eachinhibited from moving in a chair outside of the field of vision in whicheach viewed user is positioned.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein theplurality of floor elements comprise a plurality of ridges.
 28. Themethod of claim 26, wherein the plurality of floor elements comprise aplurality of indentations.